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An induction of labour is when your labour is started by medication or other artificial ways, rather than your body going into labour naturally. The aim of this page is to give information about how we induce labours.
Please talk to your midwife or doctor about why you are being offered an induction. They will talk to you about the risks and benefits to help you to decide if you would like to have an induction.
We have several stages of induction, which are shown in the table below. Most women follow the steps in order, however sometimes steps can be skipped if your body responds well. Talk to your midwife about your options.
When you have an induction of labour, you will usually start in our 10-bedded ward called the Antenatal Care Unit, with bays of two to four beds. When you are in established labour, you will be transferred to a ward with a private room to yourself.
After an induction, we usually advise that you have your baby in an obstetric doctor-led area, such as a labour ward or delivery suite, so that we can monitor your baby’s heartbeat more closely. However, there may be some cases where we are able to accommodate your birth on a Midwifery-led Unit. If you would like to use the Midwifery-led Unit during your induction, speak to your midwife or doctor.
From the start of the induction process, to going home with baby, parents can expect to stay in the hospital usually for up to seven days. Everybody responds differently to induction, and it can take an average of two to three days to achieve the regular contractions needed to birth your baby.
On some occasions, your induction may be delayed due to the workload across the maternity unit. This is to ensure that everyone is kept safe. Your midwife will discuss options with you and ensure you and your baby are well.
Whilst you are on the Antenatal Care Unit, you are usually allowed a maximum of one person to join you. When you are in established labour in a private room, it may be possible to have one more person with you. Ask your midwife about the visiting policies.
Everyone tolerates pain differently, but there are many pain relief options available to you when having an induction. These are:
- Oral pain relief (tablets taken by mouth such as paracetamol, or liquid such as oral morphine).
- TENS machine.
- Gas and Air (Entonox).
- Pethidine.
- Epidural (Labour Ward only).
All pain relief options have risks and benefits – ask your midwife for more information about your choices.
To promote natural oxytocin release, we encourage you to make yourself as comfortable as possible whilst in the hospital. This can be done by bringing things that remind you of home such as photos, music (with headphones) or a special blanket or pillow. Whilst we will provide you with food throughout your stay, you may wish to bring your own snacks. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide food for your birth partner(s), so please also be mindful of that. As induction can be a slow process, women often find it helpful to bring things that will help you feel busy such as magazines.
You can say no at any time during your maternity care - please remember induction of labour is a choice. If you do not feel comfortable with this option, ask your midwife to be referred for a discussion with a senior midwife or doctor. You will then be supported to find an option that works for you.
To find out more about induction, please read:
The NHS website - https://
National guidance on inductions - https://
| What is it? | Where does it happen? | Benefits | Risks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Membrane Sweep A pre-induction process (usually done in a routine midwife appointment)
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A midwife or doctor places one to two gloved fingers into your vagina to reach just inside your cervix (neck of the womb) and makes a sweeping circular movement to separate the membranes (sack around the baby) from the cervix. No medications are used. | In an antenatal appointment. | 26% increased likelihood of going into labour after two to three days, after 40 weeks. |
Discomfort Limited evidence of success. Occasionally women report a small amount of bleeding after this procedure – please contact your maternity triage line if you have any concerns. |
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1. Vaginal Prostaglandin
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A gel which contains a hormone called prostaglandin, which is inserted into the vagina behind the cervix. Once it is inserted, your baby will be monitored for 60 minutes and then a vaginal assessment will be offered six hours later. This process can be repeated more than once if needed. |
Antenatal Ward |
The gel dissolves and absorbs in the vagina and begins to prepare and open your cervix, so you will be ready for the next step of induction (artificial rupture of membranes). Sometimes vaginal prostaglandins will also start contractions. |
Discomfort on insertion, including stinging You may experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea after the Prostin is inserted. Period type pains as contractions begin Very occasionally, the hormones can stimulate too many contractions, leading to baby becoming distressed. |
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2. Artificial Rupture of Membranes Breaking your waters |
Artificial rupture of membranes is when a narrow tool is used to break the bag of fluid around your baby. Breaking your waters can only be done if your cervix has already started to dilate (open) which a midwife can check. We will check the colour of the waters and observe you for a short while afterwards. Ideally, regular contractions will start within two to four hours of your water breaking. |
Labour Ward or Birth Centre | When your water breaks, your body then naturally releases a hormone called oxytocin which can start your labour. |
The procedure may be uncomfortable for you, speak to your midwife about pain relief options if you find examinations difficult. |
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3. Syntocinon infusion Hormone Drip
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Syntocinon is the man-made version of Oxytocin which is the hormone your body produces when it goes into labour. The Syntocinon is given through a drip (cannula) in your hand or arm and is used to start contractions. If we begin the hormone drip, we usually will not stop it until after your baby is born. |
Labour Ward | Syntocinon increases the strength and frequency of your contractions, which will support your body to birth your baby. |
To receive syntocinon, you need to have a cannula fitted, which is a line often in the back of your hand or wrist. Very occasionally, the hormones can stimulate too many contractions, leading to baby becoming distressed. Once the drip has started, we recommend monitoring your baby’s heartbeat continuously until the birth to make sure your baby is coping with the contractions. Some women find that restrictive, which we try to avoid by providing wireless monitoring in some hospitals. |
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Page last updated: 29 August 2024
Review due: 01 August 2026